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12 Jan 2018

Court sacks Anambra senator

An Abuja Federal High Court has set aside the judgment that pronounced Obiora Okonkwo winner of the March, 2015 Anambra Central Senatorial District election.

The judgement was rendered by Justice John Tsoho on Friday, setting aside the order of December 13, 2017 on the grounds that the facts were presented in such a manner to mislead the court on the two earlier decisions of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on the matter.

According to the judge, despite Okonkwo’s claim that he was not a party to the two appeals, his political party, the PDP was party to the suits, which are binding on him.

The court added that in order of precedence and hierarchy, the appellate court takes precedent over the high court.

Okonkwo, had in December, 2014 filed the suit of pre-election matter following his substitution with Uche Ekwunife as the PDP candidate at the primary of December 7, 2014.

He said the action was against the provisions of sub-section 4 (c) (ii) of Section 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010, and Part V Par. 29(c)(e) and (g) of the Electoral Guidelines for Primary Elections 2014 of the PDP.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had fixed January 13 to hold the re-run election, which will involve the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and other political parties.